adj
Uncommon
literate
LIH-tuh-ruht
Literate (adj) means Able to read and write. Example: “The program aims to make sure every child in the district is literate by age eight.”
adj
1
Able to read and write.
"Intelligence tests are biased toward the literate."
— George Carlin, Brain Droppings (1997)
"The program aims to make sure every child in the district is literate by age eight."
2
Well informed or knowledgeable in a particular area.
"You don't need to be especially computer-literate to use this app."
How to use literate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to read and write, or well-versed in a given subject.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with literary (relating to books/writing as an art form) — literate describes a person's ability or knowledge.
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- literates
- Comparative
- more literate
- Superlative
- most literate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The program aims to make sure every child in the district is _____ by age eight.
Etymology
From Latin litteratus, from littera ("letter"); a doublet of the words literato and literatus.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for literate
See all rhymes for literate →Frequently asked questions
What does “literate” mean?
The word “literate” means able to read and write. In plain terms, able to read and write, or well-versed in a given subject.
How do you pronounce “literate”?
“Literate” is pronounced LIH-tuh-ruht (/ˈlɪtəɹət/ in IPA).
How do you use “literate” in a sentence?
Here is “literate” used in a sentence: “The program aims to make sure every child in the district is literate by age eight.”
What part of speech is “literate”?
“Literate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “literate” come from?
The word “literate” comes from Latin. From Latin litteratus, from littera ("letter"); a doublet of the words literato and literatus.
Is “literate” a common word?
“Literate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “literate” have?
“Literate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to read and write.
